The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has released the names of the two St. Paul police officers involved in a deadly force incident on Nov. 9, which resulted in the death of Mychel Allan Stowers, a 36-year-old man suspected in a St. Paul homicide investigation. According to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office, Stowers died from multiple gunshot wounds sustained during the confrontation with law enforcement.
The BCA's report identified the officers as Eric Jaworski, who discharged a rifle, and Matthew Foy, who discharged his handgun. Both officers brought ten years of law enforcement experience to the incident and are currently on critical incident leave. The BCA states that officers were reacting to a tip about Stowers' location on the 1100 block of West Seventh Street in St. Paul when they spotted an individual who matched the suspect's description leaving a business on a bicycle.
The incident escalated at the intersection of Watson Avenue and Bay Street. As officers converged, Stowers allegedly produced a handgun and pointed it at them. The response from officers Jaworski and Foy was the discharge of their weapons, striking Stowers. Even before identity confirmation could be made, the situation had turned tragically fatal. "Officers provided medical aid until St. Paul Fire Department medics arrived," as noted in the BCA announcement. Stowers was transported to Regions Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after.
Critical evidence, including the recovery of a handgun from the location where Stowers was shot, was mentioned in the BCA's preliminary findings. The encounter was also recorded on various equipment including body-worn cameras, squad cameras, and local security cameras. The BCA is continuing its investigation into the matter and, upon completion, will submit its findings to the Ramsey County Attorney's Office for review. As this case unfolds, the necessity of a judicious inquiry remains paramount considering the gravity of life lost and the severe implications for those involved.
